Primary Stage
Enjoyment is the foundation of learning, and we understand that children must be engaged to be motivated to learn. Our outstanding primary teachers are experts in designing exceptional experiences, where children are as active as possible and are fully immersed in their thematic learning through strong, cross-curricular links. Theme days and educational trips, which are interspersed throughout the year, bring learning to life and the children’s understanding is deepened further still through application to real-life experiences.
In Year 1, classrooms are set up to allow children to continue learning through play, building on their foundation stage education. This approach allows our teachers to skillfully blend elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework with the National Curriculum for England Year 1 objectives, so that children can each learn at a level appropriate for their development.
Throughout their primary years, children’s learning is underpinned by the National Curriculum for England, along with mandatory UAE subjects. Homeroom teachers will cover: English, maths, science, thematic learning (including humanities), computing and Moral, Social and Cultural (MSC) studies. Our specialist team delivers: Arabic (native and non-native), Islamic (Muslim children only), Art, Music, PE and Modern Foreign Languages.
With the ever-changing landscape of the digital world, we recognise that it is important to upskill our children so that they are prepared for the future and understand how to keep themselves safe online. Our Digital Learning Lead works closely with teachers to ensure that any use of technology enhances, and does not detract from, learning across the curriculum, with more specialised skills such as coding or 3D design taught through discrete computing lessons.
Our ‘Bring Your Own Device’ approach begins in year 6 as part of the children’s transition to secondary school. We ensure that every classroom in primary has a bank of iPads available for individual and group work. If more devices, or more specialised equipment, are required, these are purposefully planned for and booked by the teacher and for use in a particular lesson or sequence of lessons.
Wellbeing underpins the children’s learning in Primary, with key themes such as ‘resilience’, ‘teamwork’ and ‘kindness’ embedded into our curriculum across the year to support children’s social and emotional development. Through discrete lessons, assemblies, ECAs, celebration days and cross-curricular learning, children are guided to become well-rounded individuals with a strong sense of self-worth, responsibility and resilience so that they are ready to take on the world.
Primary Leaders
Meet the Primary Leaders At Dubai British School Jumeira Park.
Nathan Sadler
Head of Primary
Laurie Joiner
Deputy Head of Primary Y1-Y3
Russell Smart
Deputy Head of Primary Y4-Y6
Rachel Gibson
Assistant Head of Primary (Teaching & Learning)
Megan Pankhurst
Assistant Head of Primary (Wellbeing)
